Opium poppy
Family Papaveraceae
Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy (P. somniferum 1), is an erect annual herb, 30-100 cm high, with latex in all parts. The alternate leaves are coarsely toothed, with the lower leaves shortly stalked and the upper ones sessile and clasping the stem. The large flowers (P. somniferum 2) up to 15-18 cm across, are white, lilac or pink, with numerous stamens and a superior ovary. The fruit is a globose capsule (P. somniferum 4), containing small seeds.
There are two varieties: Papaver somniferum var. somniferum, which is grown for opium; and Papaver somniferum var. hortense, which is grown for seed (poppyseed) that is used on cakes and bread.
Distribution
Opium was known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and was traded by the Arabs and Persians. It reached China by the 8th century AD. It was exploited by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English in turn, but later attempts were made to regulate the production and trade. Today the main areas of cultivation are India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Asia Minor, Turkey and the Balkans.
Use
Opium is obtained by making incisions in the capsules shortly after the petals have fallen (P. somniferum 3). The latex hardens on exposure to air, and is scraped off and moulded into balls or cakes. This crude opium contains about 20 different alkaloids, of which morphine, codeine and heroine are the most important. Purified alkaloids are used medicinally as a sedative and to relieve pain. The immediate effects of using opium are pleasurable, including hallucinating dreams and visions, but continued use leads to loss of will power and addiction.
The seeds also yield a drying oil, which is used in the manufacture of high-grade paints and as cooking oil. The residual seed cake is used as cattle feed.